Joe McHugh, TD

A review is to be undertaken as to whether History should be an optional subject at Junior Cert level, Education Minister Joe McHugh has announced.

I am delighted to announce that Donegal has received a huge investment boost from the Government & European Union to sustain the hugely important seafood & aquaculture industry in the county. Five companies will benefit, businesses that are providing valuable employment and helping to sustain coastal communities

€884,000 will be spent in the county in the latest round of funding to repair and improve rural roads providing access to homes, farms, tourist spots and local amenities. It takes funding through the LIS scheme in Donegal to more than €4.2million in the last two years.

Donegal is on course to receive a total of more than €10million over the next five years, which for this year alone includes €1,058,745 for Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC), €597,180 for the Inishowen Development Partnership and €352,992 for Gaeltacht areas. There is no doubt that this funding will be of huge benefit to these areas and communities which have been affected in the past by cutbacks and unemployment.

I am delighted to be able to announce this honour to mark the vital contribution by so many selfless firefighters and crews and everything they do on a daily basis to save and protect life and shape our country. The nation’s fire services were not formally recognised with the 1916 Commemorative Medals during the centenary. That oversight will now be put right.

I want entrepreneurial students and graduates to think hard about competing in this €500,000 fund. It will provide up to €50,000 in equity for up to 10 successful applicants. This incentive is designed to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets.

The long-term funding package will run over 10 years and includes investment for Údarás na Gaeltachta of €105 million to help drive employment in the Gaeltacht with targets of 1,000 new jobs to be created a year. Some €33 million will be invested in the Gaeltacht Language Planning Process and €13 millon invested in Irish Language Networks and Gaeltacht Service Towns like Letterkenny, Galway, Dingle, Donegal Town and Dungloe. Another €27 millon will be invested in island marine infrastructures.

This €55,000 funding for the Inishowen Development Partnership will help members of the public to see for themselves the importance of sustainability and improve their awareness of their role as global citizens.

Twelve staff to be recruited with new whiskey distillery and visitors’ centre at Coillín Darach, in Crolly. The boost that this investment will bring to the region should not be underestimated. The entrepreneurs behind the idea and support from Government and Údarás for this brilliant project will breathe new life back into an old landmark in west Donegal.

€884,000 in funding has been secured for Local Improvement Schemes in Donegal. The funding will allow for the repair and improvement of small roads and laneways leading to local people’s homes and businesses that are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities.